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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 8 · Chapter 21: Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord
8.21.218.21.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.21.22

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.21.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

बलेन सचिवैर्बुद्ध्या दुर्गैर्मन्त्रौषधादिभि: ।

सामादिभिरुपायैश्च कालं नात्येति वै जन: ॥ २२ ॥

balena sacivair buddhyā

durgair mantrauṣadhādibhiḥ

sāmādibhir upāyaiś ca

kālaṁ nātyeti vai janaḥ

Translation

No one can surpass the time representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by material power, by the counsel of ministers, by intelligence, by diplomacy, by fortresses, by mystic mantras, by drugs, by herbs or by any other means.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

No Material Means Can Surpass Time

  1. 1

    No one can surpass time, the representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Material power, the counsel of ministers, intelligence, diplomacy and fortresses cannot overcome it.

  3. 3

    Mystic mantras, drugs, herbs and all other means also cannot take anyone beyond time's rule.

How it feels

Public loss and humiliation → Total surrender. An apparent external defeat conceals a devotional triumph.

Chapters 19–23 of Canto 8: Vāmana tests Bali; Bali offers everything. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 21: Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

With the second step the Supreme Personality of Godhead reached the topmost planet of the universe, Brahmaloka, which He diminished in beauty by the effulgence of His toenails. Thus Lord Brahmā, accompanied by great sages like Marīci and the predominating deities of all the higher planets, offered humble prayers and worship to the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. balenaby material power
  2. sacivaiḥby the counsel of ministers
  3. buddhyāby intelligence
  4. durgaiḥby fortresses
  5. mantra-auṣadha-ādibhiḥby mystic chanting or the influence of drugs and herbs
  6. sāma-ādibhiḥby diplomacy and other such means
  7. upāyaiḥ caby similar other attempts
  8. kālamthe time factor, representing the Supreme Lord
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 8.21

    In this verse: “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which resource do I rely on as though it could give me complete control?

Practice

Name one resource you depend on and remind yourself today that it cannot overcome the Lord's time representation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNo Material Means Can Surpass TimeThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 8.21.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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